Anny Lowrey´s remarks reflect the usual polemics that arise when such a proposal of raising the minimum wage is made: “The White House said that the move would have profoundly positive effects for low-income families without unduly burdening businesses or raising the unemployment rate. It cited research showing “no detectable employment losses from the kind of minimum wage increases we have seen in the United States.” The White House also pointed to companies like Costco, the retail discount chain, and Stride Rite, a children’s shoe seller, that have previously supported increasing the minimum wage as a way to reduce employee turnover and improve workers’ productivity.

But the move would almost certainly face stiff opposition. Many companies that hire low-wage workers — both small businesses and large businesses — have in the past vociferously opposed raising the minimum wage, as it increases their cost of business. By making employees more expensive for companies to hire, some economists argue that higher minimum wages increase the unemployment rate — a particularly toxic possibility given the high levels of joblessness that remain long after the recession has ended.

On top of that, conservatives have often argued that higher minimum wages burden job creators, especially during times when the economy is weak. House Speaker John A. Boehner voted against a 2006 bill letting the minimum wage rise to its current level of $7.25 from $5.15. The legislation ultimately passed with bipartisan support in 2007, though many Republicans voted against it”.

In July 2013 Barack Obama was throwing his support behind congressional Democrats´ proposal to raise the minimum wage to $10.10.

If a government sets the minimum wage it is important to consider two aspects: The minimum wage should be set on a level a high enough to reduce considerably the poverty rate in a country. And low paid workers (often called “working poor“) live often under the poverty line though they are working full time.